Rico Colors I Live and Die With
If you’re only going to get one topwater popper to fish for bass, make it a Lobina Lures Rico. Actually, stretch it a little and get two: One ¼ ounce “regular” Rico, and one 7/16 ounce Rio Rico. I tend to fish the smaller one more often on waters like the Potomac near home and the larger one almost exclusively when we go to Mexico.
Yes, they’re expensive, over $20 unless you find them on sale, but you’re not likely to lose many of them. They perform well on fairly heavy line and float. It’s not like an expensive deep-diving crankbait where it’s possible-if-not-probable to lose it in the first brush pile you hit. Nevertheless, even in the age of $300 swimbaits, these lures are not an insubstantial investment, so you’ll want to invest in colors that work. I know that many people argue that only the paint on the bottom of these lures matters, but I tend to fish better if I have confidence. To date, I perceive the following five to be my favorites:
Tennessee Shad
If I only had one for everywhere I fished
Albino
My favorite in Mexico. Easy to see from a long distance away, even in chop.
Clunn Aurora Ice
For extra-clear water or when fish are super-spooky.
J Murray Bass
Another good all-around model, ideal around darker shad, crappie or tilapia.
Risque
When a little bit of chartreuse is a bonus – especially around smallies.
Additional Topwater Popper Options
If you don’t want to splurge for a Rico or three, or for some reason you don’t think they work, here are some other options to consider:
Notes on Poppers
One color that I didn’t mention above, that is nevertheless a trusted staple and available in nearly every popular model, is Bone.
A lot of anglers seem to rely on shades of black like “Black Beauty” or “K Delta Bird,” but I’ve consistently done better with lighter colors, even in overcast or stormy conditions.
Be sure to check and replace treble hooks regularly. It’s a small price to pay because as exciting as it is to see a giant explode on a topwater, it’s equally heart-stopping to watch that same bass jump with your popper flopping on the outside of its mouth.
In addition to plain trebles, carry a supply of feathered trebles. By changing out the feather colors it’s possible to substantially alter the look of your lure.
One other popper that I rely on tremendously is the old discontinued Yamamoto Sugoi Splash – terrible paint job, great performance. I retain a stash of them for special occasions.
